Our Guide to Travelling with Sex Toys

Whether you’re just getting on a plane to travel somewhere inside Australia, or you’re jetting off overseas to a whole other country there is a lot of confusion, misinformation, and curiosity about taking a sex toy with you on an aeroplane. Is it legal? Is it safe? Does it go in my hand luggage or underneath? Will I get pulled up in the crowded check-in line and humiliated by TSA workers? 

It’s often enough to stop even the most sexually confident of us from taking the risk, but is it really all that bad?

For the most part, travelling with sex toys is perfectly safe and legal, but there are some exceptions, and some things you should consider when packing them that will make sure you’re not breaking any rules, laws, or regulations, and that will give you some confidence and peace of mind for your next holiday or work travel plans.

Know the Local Laws and Regulations

While most countries don’t really care one way or the other about your sex toys (albeit with some caveats and restrictions you’ll find in the below sections) there are a few places out there in our global community with slightly more conservative views. Countries that are ruled by strict religious guidelines such as Indonesia, Thailand, and The United Emirates have such bans put on them and they can legally confiscate and throw out your items and, in extreme cases, even arrest you for having them, so please make sure you double check the laws in the country you are visiting. Even if you’re not directly traveling to one of those countries but just stopping over and changing flights in one of them, it is a good idea to check with the airline you are using to see if that could be a possible problem (packing them in your checked luggage rather than hand/cabin baggage is probably the safest way to do international plane hopping). 

Remove The Batteries

Even though rechargeable toys are taking over the sex toy market more and more, there are still some of us who use batteries to get our motors running and it is vitally important you remove these before you travel. This is for a few reasons, batteries can leak and damage the toy, and they can slowly run down the power even when the toy is switched off, but the main one is that inevitable jostling of stuff around in your bag and something hitting the “on” button and suddenly having to explain the whirring, buzzing, rumbling noises coming from inside your case. In these days of ultra-sensitive security at airports, having a moving, mechanical buzzing sound coming from a suitcase could very well be mistaken for something else and you really don’t want you and your pearl-shafted-rabbit to be the reason for an airport lock-down. 

Check If It Has A Travel Lock

Just because you don’t use a battery-operated toy doesn’t mean you’re immune to the sudden and accidental switching on, so it’s a good idea to make sure your toy has a travel lock which, thankfully, almost all rechargeable toys have. This just means no matter how many knocks and bumps may happen to the “on” button as it sits in your bag, it won’t turn on until you have unlocked it (usually with a two button combination hold or an extended hold of the power switch). If it doesn’t have a lock it’s a good idea to make sure it is fully run down and out of charge before you travel, and then you can charge it up when you reach your destination… So whatever you do don’t forget your charger!

Get The Right Plug

Speaking of chargers, if you don’t do a lot of overseas travel you may be unaware that different countries have different sorts of power outlets, sockets and plugs to the ones you are used to here. Some of the high-end toy companies provide extra international plug connections in the box but not all of them do, so it’s definitely a good idea to make sure you have the right connection, or a toy that charges using the internationally recognised USB socket. Seriously, how sucky would it be to get to your tropical paradise destination and then not be able to charge up your vibe cos you don’t have the right plug and the nearest shop is a whole other island away. 

To Carry On Or Check?

Overall, the best consensus from sexperts and travel experts alike is to put it in your checked luggage if you have it. This means you don’t have to awkwardly explain to TSA workers every single time you go through security, or risk it being pulled out and held up in a public space. It is also a really good idea (regardless of checked or cabin baggage) to pack them right at the top of your case, and in a clear, plastic zip-lock bag so it is not only obvious at a glance what it is and won’t be mistaken for a weapon, but so it is also kept hygienic and clean, and the rest of your luggage relatively safe and neat from probing hands. When it comes to sex toys that could also be classed as weapons or contraband (handcuffs, whips, solid metal toys like the Njoy Wand for example, and even certain electro-stim products and other BDSM-type implements) it’s definitely a good idea to not only check them at the counter but also tell the staff or airline that these items are there so as not to have any misunderstandings of what you’re packing.

Lube Is A Liquid

Lube, toy cleaner, massage oils… It doesn’t matter that they aren’t a “drink” as such, they are still liquids and are subject to the rules and regulations of air travel like any others. Make sure you check the allowed amount (both for checked and cabin) and don’t go over it or they will just chuck it out. Tubes are probably better than bottles as they can be sealed a little better, and it’s also a good idea to pop these things in a zip-lock bag as well just in case of leakages that may happen during transit.

What To Avoid

Look, okay, that super realistic-looking ten inch vein-covered cock dildo may be your favourite toy but, when it comes to the crunch, are you absolutely, 100% confident you’d be okay with some random person pulling it out of your bag at a crowded counter and asking you loudly if you meant to pack it? While we absolutely do not believe anyone should be ashamed or embarrassed about their sexual proclivities, when it comes to the big wide world, and our individual feelings, we totally get why this could be a bit out of even the most sexually confident and open-minded person’s comfort zone. These days sex toys are looking less and less penis-y and in some cases don’t even look like a sex toy at all! These are probably your best bet to avoid awkwardness (either yours or a staff members). We mentioned above about BDSM toys and, while many airlines have no issues with what you stick in your bag, some items in some countries could be seen as illegal. Try and replace metal items for ones made of other materials and again, always check the rules of both the airlines and the country you’re visiting, just to make sure. The same goes for things like Viagra. Taking prescription drugs into some countries without said prescription and proof you are the person the prescription is for can lead to all sorts of trouble and strife.

Ditch The Shame

Probably the most important thing to remember in all of this is that airline staff have seen it all. Trust me. From dildos and gimp masks, to illicit drugs and those people who try and smuggle live lizard eggs down their shorts they’ve seen it and, for the most part, if it’s safe and legal (like a vibrator and a gimp mask), they really don’t care, they just want to do their job. 

Acting furtively and cagey because you’re worried they might spot your We-Vibe is often a sure-fire way to get pulled aside for a “random bag check” and who knows what else if they think you’re really hiding something. Honestly, the best way to get through it all with minimum embarrassment to everyone is to literally tell them “by the way that’s a vibrator” if they happen to pause and look curiously at the little x-ray screen as your bag goes through. Most of them can see what it is anyway (like I said, they’ve seen it all before) and may give you a little smile and a wink, but really, they don’t care. They are far more concerned with finding those live lizard eggs than policing you on what you use on your bits, and, shock horror I know, they most likely have a drawer full of them at home themselves.

Travelling is always a great adventure, and why shouldn’t you have a little personal fun along the way! As long as you remember to always be aware of where you are travelling to, and what is allowed where you’re going, you shouldn’t have any problems at all. 

Safe travels and happy buzzing, my friends!